MO State XC Preview Series: Class 4 Boys and Girls

MSHSAA Class 4 State Championships
Kyle Deeken

Girls
Kyle's Crystal Ball

Kyle's Crystal Ball is predictions based on season bests, season averages, head-to-head performances, performance at the Gans Creek Classic, past performances at the State Meet and the intangibles: "who's impressed me the most" and "who's peaking at the right time." These predictions are solely mine and are reflective of no one else in the Missouri MileSplit network's feelings on the race. 


Individuals:

15. Isabel Erdmann - Clayton

14. Makaylin Viet - Father Tolton Regional Catholic

13. Caterina Rossomanno - Rockwood Summit

12. Lauren Eftink - Notre Dame Cape Girardeau

11. Naomi Hunter - Smithville

10. Madison Taylor - Father Tolton Regional Catholic

9. Sophia Pelligreen - Clayton

8. Sisely Mitchell - Platte County

7. Isabella Frost - Rolla

6. Julia Donnelly - Washington

5. Abigail Street - Webb City

4. Alexandra Kinstler - Kearney

3. Kayleigh Norris - Harrisonville

2. Elyse Wilmes - Father Tolton Regional Catholic

1. Julia Ray - MICDS

It'll be a battle of two of the state's true juggernauts, just like we imagined when the district assignments came out. With MICDS moving down and Father Tolton moving up, we were always going to be set up with a battle between Elyse Wilmes and Julia Ray. Ray got the best of her on Saturday at District 2, but it seemed like Wilmes was cruising. Expect the margin of victory to be much much closer this year, with Ray taking the tape in a sub-18:00 mark. I expect both girls will be under 18:00, as a matter of fact, even if they weather is a little warmer than normal. 

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Teams:

5. Rockwood Summit

4. Father Tolton Regional Catholic

3. West Plains

2. Kearney

1. Clayton

I don't think Father Tolton can overcome that gap at number 5 to win it all, but they should score low through 4 and be able to hang on for fourth over Rockwood Summit. All eyes will be on the battle between Clayton, Kearney, and a West Plains team that looks very differently than last year's title team. I like the Greyhounds to race to Class 4 gold.